Bootee.



No. 785L644. I PATENTED APR. 4 1905.

0. P. HURD.

1 BOOTEE. APPLICATION FILED m 2. 1904.

v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No.?86,644. PATBNTED 11mm, 1905 BOUTEE,

AEPLIUATION FILED MAY 2. 1904.

Z SHEETSSHEET 2.

Patented April 4, 1905.

PATENT Orrrca.

OSCAR P. HURD, OF HOOPER, NEW YORK.

BQOTEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 786,644, dated April 4,1905. Application filed May 2, 1904. Serial No. 205,994.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR P. Hum), a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Hooper, county of Broome, State of New York. have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Bootees, of which I herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

The objects of theinvention are to provide means for making theintroduction of the foot into the bootee easy, as well as to obtain acloser fit upon the upper part of the leg, so that the upper part of theleg of the bootee will conform itself to the shape of the ankle andlower part of the leg of the wearer and will remain smooth and straightthereon.

My invention has further reference to means for protecting the loweredges of the side panels of elastic goring from being soiled 5 whenblacking the bo'otees, the piece of leather or other material thusemployed serving also to close the gap between the front and rearportions of the boot or shoe caused by the insertion of the elasticpanel.

The invention consists in the employment of an elastic gore inserted inthe front or rear of the top of the bootee, the lower edge of whichextends below the upper edges of side panels of elastic gores employedto permit the ankle to expand as the foot is inserted. The elastic gorein the top thus permits a continuous expansion of the leg from the topdown to the vamp, which could not occur if the elastic gores extendedonly to the seam connecting the top of the boot With the front and backportions. beyond this seam from above and from below,

The gores must extend so that the seam crossin the ores will not preventfree elastic action completely around the leg.

I am aware that an elastic gore has been used in the top of a boot inconnection with elastic side panels; but the line of the lower edge ofone was the same as the line of the upper edge of the other. Hence theseam not permitting elastic movement the leg cannot stretch on thatline.

My invention further consists in the combination and arrangement ofparts as hereinafter described, shown in the accompanying drawings, andspecifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a bootee,showing the improved devices described in my invention. Fig. 2 is atransverse section above the seam connecting the vamp with the upperparts and panel of elastic gore, showing its use as a leveler of theseam. Fig. 3 is a side elevaion of the bootee without the sole, showingglight changes.

In the views, 1 is the vamp, and 2 the front and 3 the rear portion ofthe bootee, and 4.- the top portion, all of which are connected by meansof a seam, which is shown curved, but may be straight just as well, ifdesired.

6 is one of the side panels of elastic goring, which are two in numberand connect the front and back portions of the bootee.

7 is a panel of elastic goring which is inserted in the bootee-top infront and extends downward at 8 beyond the upper line of the edge 9 ofthe side panel 6, so that no matter what portion of the leg be stretchedby the foot it will be found equally elastic with all other portions,and no constriction will be caused by the seam.

Another important feature of the invention will be found in the smallpiece 10, inserted at the base of each elastic side panel and stitchedto the vamp and elastic. This piece fills the gap between the vamp andelastic and makes a smooth level seam. It also serves the purpose ofpreventing the daubingof the bottom of the elastic when polishing thevamp.

In Fig. 3 the hack piece 3 extends clear to the top of the boot and is acheaper way of making the boot.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with the front and back portions and top of a bootee,the said portions being connected by asubstantially horizontal seam, ofside panels of elastic goring extending upward beyond the said seam, anda panel of elastic goring in the top extending down ward below saidseam, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with the front and back portions of a bootee, of a topportion, a seam connecting said top and front and back portions, sidepanels of elastic goring connecting the front and back portions and.having their upper edges extending above the rigid scam and a panel ofelastic goring in the top portion, having its lower edge extending belowsaid rigid seam and below the upper edges of the side panels,substantially as described.

The combination in a bootee, with a top portion and front and backportions, of elastic panels in the top and in the sides between thefront and back portions, the said panel in the top portion having theline of its lower edge below the line of the upper edges of the sidepanels, as and in the manner set forth.

at. The combination with the front and side portions of a bootee, of apanel of elastic goring inserted between them, a leveling-piece arrangedto iill the space upon the goringhetween the front and back portions atthe lower edge thereof, and a vamp secured utside of said front and backportions, and ieveler, snbstai'ltially as described.

in a bootee, the combination of the vamp and front and back portionsand. a panel of elastic goring upon the edges of which they are sewed,of a filling or leveling piece upon the lower edge of the goring betweensaid front and back portions, and between said elastic goring and vamp.

In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name this 4th day of February,1904:.

()SCAR P. HURD.

Witnesses:

F. F. HAMMOND, Bim'rinx M. JoNns.

